Earlier this year I wrote about Green Smoothies and how I was using them to lose the baby weight. That didn't last long. I NEED to chew things and I got really bored of smoothies after a couple of weeks. Turns out smoothies and juicing just isn't for me. It really didn't make me lose that much weight anyway. I was losing maybe a 1/2 pound to a pound a week. With my new eating plan I'm losing up to 3 pounds a week! I'm not doing anything crazy either, just switching up some eating habits. Here's what's worked for me:
Track your calories!! This is the MOST important thing to do when losing weight. I've done a ton of weight losing in the past so I'm pretty familiar with calorie content, but am still amazed when I eat a SMALL shake that's 700 calories... that's an entire meal! I've found that I don't snack as much either because it would just take too much time to log 5 M&M's. When you're aware of what you're eating and the calorie content of each item, it is SO much easier to stay within your calorie budget. My favorite app for calorie counting is Lose It. It tracks food, workouts, and goals.
Find healthy recipes. Thanks to Pinterest, there are so many healthy recipes at your fingertips. There are also a ton of substitutions and ideas to make your favorite meals taste just as good with fewer calories. I really haven't heard Mike complain that any of the food I make tastes differently than it did with the fatty recipe.
Get moving. I had no idea how many calories I burn while cleaning the house, rocking Jet, or doing basic child care activities. You have to do it anyway, so make the most of it. Park in the back of the parking lot, take the stairs, or go for a walk on your break.
Use a small plate. I've heard this many times and guess what? It works! My plate looks full at dinner time and I'm full after eating.
Try to find a good balance. I'm using the 60% carbs, 20% fats, 20% protein ratio. Lose it tracks this for you! I don't worry too much at Breakfast or Lunch but when I'm deciding what to make for dinner I'll look at my ratios and see what I need more of and less of and go from there. It is SO easy!
Seriously, this has been the easiest way to lose weight ever. After a couple of weeks you don't even have to think about it because it's a lifestyle change, not a diet and when you see the weight fall off it's even easier to stay on track. It will take time and work but I'm healthy and will have long term results. Diets DON'T work and quick fixes are temporary. I'll be posting updates on my success and hope that you guys will join in too!
What are you doing this year to get in shape?
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
1/2 price Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen has some 1/2 off offers today only. Click here to find participating locations near you!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Why you shouldn't use products that 'claim' to prevent SIDS
Here is some great information on why products that claim to prevent SIDS could actually be harmful for your infant.
Friday, January 18, 2013
SIDS Age Range
Did you know that SIDS Age Range is actually 1-12 months? For more information on how you can prevent SIDS and for statistics, please read this article.
Free BBW lotion!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
My decision to stay at home
Yesterday I officially became a stay-at-home Mom. For a lot of woman it's an easy, no-brainer decision but it wasn't that easy for me. There are a lot of things to consider when giving up everything that you've worked for in the past as well as a social life. Having a baby is already life-changing and I didn't want to rush to a decision while being in the middle something that makes you so crazy and unable to think clearly; AKA motherhood. For those who are struggling with the same thing, here is what I considered:
Finances: Obviously your finances are going to make the biggest impact on your decision. We are lucky enough not to have a ton of debt, but a fair amount, and also lucky enough that my maternity leave coincided with tax season making it easy to pay off everything but my car. Still, we are having to postpone the wedding to Spring of next year, postpone saving for a house, and I will have to babysit at least one child a month to make up for the difference.
Social Life: I already gave up my social life when I moved to Oregon. I found out I was pregnant with Olivia a few months after moving here, which made it really hard to go out and meet new people. Going to work was the only thing that gave me that sense of belonging and social interaction. Even being home on maternity leave gets to me a few days a week. Having a new baby in the Winter is hard... it's rainy and windy and you really don't want to go out, especially if the baby is going to freak out and make you go back home anyway. It's a lot of work getting your newborn and yourself ready for the day. I get really bored sometimes, and crave that everyday interaction. Luckily, Jet will get older and become more entertaining, the other child I will be watching will keep me busy, I'll be seeing the parents everyday and there are play date groups I'm looking as joining as well. I also try to get out by myself at least one night a week to go tanning and relax, and Mike is good at convincing me to go on family outings once during the week as well.
Feeling accomplished: Being a Mom and Wife is hard. You're up all night feeding the baby, then when you wake up it's coffee, playtime, feeding, nap time, cleaning, playtime, feeding, nap time, dinner, clean-up, bath time, feeding, bed time. Eat and shower if you're lucky. Then you also have to try to fit in grocery shopping, socializing, and making sure your relationship isn't getting forgotten in the shuffle. You do all of this with little recognition or appreciation, and it can get you down. It's important to remember that what you do IS important. Looking back, I so appreciate that my Grandma was home with us all day. I became so close to her, she was always there when I needed to talk and I trusted her more than anyone. She taught me all the basics... cooking, baking, cleaning, crafting, and everything I needed to know about keeping a house in order. But then she also taught me about charity and loving others... something that she might have been to busy for if she was working. It was also important to her that we sat around the table, with a healthy meal, and ate as a family... something that I now realize the value of and can't wait to do with my own family. Your children might not realize how special these moments are now, but they will when they have their own family someday and that's when all the long days and sleepless nights will pay off.
At the end of the day, this is an opportunity that I wanted so badly with Olivia and didn't get... an opportunity that a lot of Mothers don't get. After Olivia passed away I regretted the fact that while she was in the care of people who I trusted and who loved her more than anything, I missed SO much time with her and so many milestones. I don't want to miss anything this time around, life is too short, and these are moments that you'll never get back.
Finances: Obviously your finances are going to make the biggest impact on your decision. We are lucky enough not to have a ton of debt, but a fair amount, and also lucky enough that my maternity leave coincided with tax season making it easy to pay off everything but my car. Still, we are having to postpone the wedding to Spring of next year, postpone saving for a house, and I will have to babysit at least one child a month to make up for the difference.
Social Life: I already gave up my social life when I moved to Oregon. I found out I was pregnant with Olivia a few months after moving here, which made it really hard to go out and meet new people. Going to work was the only thing that gave me that sense of belonging and social interaction. Even being home on maternity leave gets to me a few days a week. Having a new baby in the Winter is hard... it's rainy and windy and you really don't want to go out, especially if the baby is going to freak out and make you go back home anyway. It's a lot of work getting your newborn and yourself ready for the day. I get really bored sometimes, and crave that everyday interaction. Luckily, Jet will get older and become more entertaining, the other child I will be watching will keep me busy, I'll be seeing the parents everyday and there are play date groups I'm looking as joining as well. I also try to get out by myself at least one night a week to go tanning and relax, and Mike is good at convincing me to go on family outings once during the week as well.
Feeling accomplished: Being a Mom and Wife is hard. You're up all night feeding the baby, then when you wake up it's coffee, playtime, feeding, nap time, cleaning, playtime, feeding, nap time, dinner, clean-up, bath time, feeding, bed time. Eat and shower if you're lucky. Then you also have to try to fit in grocery shopping, socializing, and making sure your relationship isn't getting forgotten in the shuffle. You do all of this with little recognition or appreciation, and it can get you down. It's important to remember that what you do IS important. Looking back, I so appreciate that my Grandma was home with us all day. I became so close to her, she was always there when I needed to talk and I trusted her more than anyone. She taught me all the basics... cooking, baking, cleaning, crafting, and everything I needed to know about keeping a house in order. But then she also taught me about charity and loving others... something that she might have been to busy for if she was working. It was also important to her that we sat around the table, with a healthy meal, and ate as a family... something that I now realize the value of and can't wait to do with my own family. Your children might not realize how special these moments are now, but they will when they have their own family someday and that's when all the long days and sleepless nights will pay off.
At the end of the day, this is an opportunity that I wanted so badly with Olivia and didn't get... an opportunity that a lot of Mothers don't get. After Olivia passed away I regretted the fact that while she was in the care of people who I trusted and who loved her more than anything, I missed SO much time with her and so many milestones. I don't want to miss anything this time around, life is too short, and these are moments that you'll never get back.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Great food for your Superbowl party
Are you hosting this years Superbowl party, but aren't sure what to serve? Be sure to check out these great Superbowl party appetizers that are delicious AND healthy!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Make money with cashcrate
If you're looking for an easy way to make a couple extra bucks, you should definitely join cashcrate. I usually don't advertise these kind of websites because they can be shady, but this one seems pretty legit. I joined last week and randomly get on for a few minutes a day and have already made over $5. Not bad for a week. The blogger (trustworthy) who I signed up under is making over $600 a month!! (he's received an actual check in the mail as well)
There are a lot of things you can do to earn money such as take surveys, participate in offers, shop online, and complete online tasks. Some of the offers cost money, but as long as you cancel your trials, you'll usually end up making more money and getting free product as well. I would also sign up under an email address you use for spam since you're going to get a lot of it from this site, but for some extra cash it's totally worth it! I participate in offers from my phone while I'm feeding Jet, waiting in line, or watching TV.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, sign up by clicking HERE!
There are a lot of things you can do to earn money such as take surveys, participate in offers, shop online, and complete online tasks. Some of the offers cost money, but as long as you cancel your trials, you'll usually end up making more money and getting free product as well. I would also sign up under an email address you use for spam since you're going to get a lot of it from this site, but for some extra cash it's totally worth it! I participate in offers from my phone while I'm feeding Jet, waiting in line, or watching TV.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, sign up by clicking HERE!
Nomorerack Deals
I know that I've mentioned Nomorerack in previous posts, but this site has gotten even better. They used to post a few different things a day, but now they post TONS of awesome deals! I introduced it to Mike and immediately wished that I hadn't because he's constantly trying to get me to purchase everything, and it can be SO tempting with the prices on this site. Here are some of today's great deals:
This Android tablet is $98. (Orig. $299)
These Australian classic tall boots are only $26 (Orig. $130)
This slimfit external battery for iPhone 4/4S is only $16 (Orig. $56)
And I seriously could go on and on. We've purchased many items and most have been great quality. They have a little something for everyone and tons of great gifts, and the best part? $2 shipping on everything! I love this site!!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
What if your child will only sleep on their tummy?
It has been proven that belly sleep has 12.9 times the risk of death as back sleep. Even though your child might sleep better on their tummy it is NOT worth it. Please check out my blog in honor of my daughter Olivia, who passed away from SIDS for more information. Help spread the word, and put an end to sudden infant death.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
SIDS: How you can help
Please share Olivia's blog to help spread the word on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. I will be updating periodically with SIDS facts and what you can do to help.
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